“Music-COMP has named Erik as “senior mentor” because of his tremendous skills working with students effectively in our online mentoring program. He brings out the best in students, often helping them compose with skill they didn’t know they had.
Erik has just the knack for working with students in music composition, especially in our online mentoring program. He listens to their questions and responds with clear suggestions. He shares his depth of knowledge of music of all styles to help students realize their potential as student composers.”

Sandi MacLeod, Executive Director
Music-COMP

“You’re the best teacher I’ve ever seen, and that includes medical school!”

An adult student and former surgeon

I have taught music for many years.  Since 1999 I have been involved exclusively in teaching and mentoring composition and music theory. I have worked with organizations such as the Connecticut Interdistrict Grant Program (defunct, no link), the Vermont Youth Orchestra Association (http://www.vyo.org/), Music-COMP (http://www.music-comp.org/) (formerly the Vermont MIDI Project) and the Green Mountain Suzuki Institute (http://www.greenmountainsuzukiinstitute.org/). I have created two series of podcasts, the first (http://www.vtmidi.org/podcasts.htm) dealing with different aspects of music composition, while the second (http://musiccomp.wordpress.com/category/podcasts) is an ongoing series devoted to writing for individual instruments. Although aimed primarily at advanced middle-school and high school students, my hope is that these podcasts will appeal to anyone with an interest in and a little prior knowledge of music.

I am available for private lessons, online or in-person group or individual mentoring, teacher training in composition and consultation about setting up a composition program.  Please Contact Me for details.

“So please know, from the bottom of my heart, that I am so grateful that you were willing to share so much of your knowledge, patience and guidance. I am so happy that I have gotten to explore so many different avenues of composition and music, and I know that in the root of a lot of it is the work I was able to do with you.”

Former student